Misconceptions About the Lord’s Supper

by Osamagbe Lesley Egharevba
via Unmasking Sophistry, Vol. 4, No. 2, April-June 2024

One of the acts of worship the New Testament church engaged in was the Lord's Supper. It is also called “the breaking of bread” (Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7), “the Communion” (I Corinthians 10:16), or “the Lord's table” (I Corinthians 10:21). In Acts 2:42, we read that the church in Jerusalem “continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” We also find in Acts 20:7 that the Christians in the city of Troas “came together to break bread” on the first day of the week (Sunday). Paul, in writing to the Christians in Corinth, describes this activity thus: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? ... You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons” (I Corinthians 10:16, 21).

Faithful churches of the Lord today must follow this example and continue steadfastly in partaking of the Lord's Supper, among other acts of worship, until the Lord comes again as the apostle, Paul, instructed by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes” (I Corinthians 11:26). In this writing, we are going to look at what the Lord's Supper is, its purpose and some misconceptions about it.

What Is the Lord's Supper?

The Lord's Supper is a feast, a memorial, a remembrance that honors our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus instituted this feast on the same night that He was betrayed. In Matthew 26:26-29, we read: “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body.' Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom.'” The apostle Paul delivered the same to the church in Corinth: “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me” (I Corinthians 11:23-25).

The Purpose of the Lord's Supper

This memorial reminds us that the Son of God came to the word, suffered, and died for us. As seen in Matthew 26:26-29, two elements are used in the Lord's Supper – the bread and fruit of the vine. The bread symbolizes Christ's body, while the vine's fruit symbolizes His blood. As Paul said, as we continuously partake of the Lord's Supper, we remember the Lord's death until He comes. Only Christians are eligible to partake of the Supper, as we see in Acts 20:7, and the frequency of observance is on the first day of every week. The Lord's Supper reminds us of Jesus' presence with us.

Misconceptions About the Lord's Supper

Transubstantiation

This is the idea that in the Lord's Supper (Catholics call this the “Eucharist”), the emblems are miraculously changed into the substance of the body and blood of Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 26:27-28 “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” The Catholics interpret that to mean the fruit of the vine supernaturally changed to the literal blood of Jesus when He gave thanks. But Catholics ignore the very next verse (Matthew 26:29), which would prove this position to be false - “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” Observe carefully that Jesus is now calling the liquid “fruit of the vine,” not His blood. So, had it already changed back to juice just moments after it had changed to Jesus' literal blood? Or was Jesus using a metaphor all along, like when He said, “I am the door” (John 10:9)? When Jesus said, “This is My body,” and, “This is My blood,” He was still in His flesh and blood and He was simply showing that the bread and the fruit of the vine were symbols of His body and blood. When we partake of the Lord's Supper today, we partake of the bread and fruit of the vine, representing Christ's body and blood (I Corinthians 11:23-26).

Frequency of Observance

Acts 20:7 reveals that the early Christians partook of the Supper "upon the first day of the week." Every week has a first day, so Christians today have the authority to partake of the Lord's Supper in remembrance of Christ's death upon the first day of the week. Many denominational churches today partake of the Lord's Supper yearly, monthly, or on a particular occasion. This has no scriptural precedent or justification and is simply the commandment of men (Matthew 15:1-9).

Substituting the Elements

We have no authority to substitute the elements Jesus authorized to be used in the Lord's Supper with any other thing. Some people use Coke and wafers, but this is wrong as we do not have any justification for that from God's word.

Common Meal

Paul warned that the Lord's Supper should not be taken as a common meal. “If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that you can come together and not cause judgment” (I Corinthians 11:34). Some have argued that Acts 20:7 refers to a common meal and does not reference the Lord's Supper. Thus, we cannot use that as authority for the weekly observance of the Lord's Supper. However, notice that the passage we just cited (I Corinthians 11:34) condemns eating a common meal (to satisfy hunger) in the assembly; therefore, Acts 20:7 cannot refer to a common meal. It certainly must be referring to the Lord's Supper. Why would Paul condemn eating a common meal in the assembly (I Corinthians 11:34) and then go ahead and eat a common meal in the assembly in Acts 20:7? (Note: The Corinthian letter was written before the events of Acts 20:7). In light of I Corinthians 11:17-22 and the verse just cited, the Corinthians had abused the Lord's Supper by incorporating it into a common meal. Paul specifically tells the Corinthians not to do such, for they bring judgment upon themselves. So, Acts 20:7 undoubtedly refers to the Lord's Supper, and the example of the early Christians partaking of it on the first day of the week should suffice, and we must follow the same.

Should Only the Bread Be Eaten?

In some denominational churches, the congregation takes only the bread during Communion and does not take the fruit of the vine. But Paul tells the Christians in I Corinthians 11:26: "For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.” Obedience to this command demands that Christians eat the bread and drink of the fruit of the vine, just like it was done in Matthew 26:26-29. Doing anything short of this is simply disobedience and rebellion.

Easter Is Not the Lord's Supper

Easter is not found in the Scriptures. It is a man-made holiday that many use to remember the resurrection of Christ. The Scriptures clearly state how to remember the death of Christ and what to use in remembrance of His death. Adding or subtracting from this is clear disobedience and dangerous (Revelation 22:18-19).

Conclusion

Our worship of God must be in spirit and truth (John 4:24). This means that we must worship God according to how He wants us to worship Him and not as we desire. The Lord's Supper is one of the items of worship for Christians today. Our Lord Jesus Christ has commanded us to partake in His remembrance. To be pleasing to Him and offer acceptable worship unto Him, we must observe the Lord's Supper regularly every first day of the week and in the right manner until He comes again. Doing anything more or less in remembrance of Him would make our worship vain (Matthew 15:8-9).